Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-defense

by Charl Van Wyk

Charl Van Wyk was just an ordinary Christian man until July 25, 1993 - the day that would become known as the St. James Massacre. It was on this date that Van Wyk shot back at the terrorists who were attacking an innocent congregation gathered in prayer, and saved many lives in the process. More than just a remarkable story of courage under fire, Shooting Back deals forthrightly with the consequences of his actions, while addressing the concerns that plague so many God-fearing people in these lawless times, such Should we carry arms? When is it appropriate to defend ourselves and our families? What can we do when our God-given right to self-defense is legislated away from us? In Shooting Back, Van Wyk tackles these difficult questions using the light of Scripture and insights from his own experience to make the case for self-defense.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Linore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and compelling true experiences fuel this author's passion for the right of self-defense. Having shot a terrorist during an attempted massacre on their part, (and thereby saving many lives) he knows of what he speaks. He lays out good historical precedent for why any people should have the right of self-defense, and shows that all tyrannical governments inevitably revoke that right. The passages where he gives the biblical basis for a theology that incorporates the right of self-defense could be stronger. Leave that, I suppose, for theologians, and other books. But read this for a first-person perspective of having to use a fire-arm to protect innocent lives--and why we all should be careful to be ready to do so.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must Read

Excellent and well written. Every concealed carry permit holder should read this. As a matter of fact every American should read this book and wake up.

[Sean Sorrentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read, short and to the point

Charl is quick and to the point. God calls you to your tasks, to follow His law and not to die in some pointless and stupid way at the hands of a criminal. Charl quickly punches holes in the empty platitudes that the fuzzy headed Christian pacifists offer, and he does it in the way only a man who has been under fire can.

[Allen Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy read. If you are looking for in depth Biblical expositions of the Biblical passages he uses you will be disappointed but he still makes a good quick case for his position. He recounts a very bad experience and it is obvious it would have been much worse if he had not shot back!

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY good reading. Recommended for all who wonder whether Christians need to own/operate guns as side-arms for self-defense and for family protection. The South African author cites many good reasons substantiated by Biblical truth.